NPR radio: One-third of the US working population today work “gigs”, meaning they work part time, adjunct, less than 40 hours at a job. Gig is a term that comes from musicians working a job/gig here and there. A significant number of us are employed in one or several gigs.
NY Times today: A huge segment of our population, 12.4 million people work for companies with less than 10 employees. That’s about 11% of the businesses out there.
Here’s the really interesting part: the NY Times article today reported on the growing number of former job searchers turned creative entrepreneurs who are developing new business ideas and giving it a go. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/14/technology/start-ups/14startup.html?ref=business
At some point in a job search that’s stymied, people begin to realize they have energy and talent and an itch to work at something that satisfies them. For those with severance to back them up for a period of time this is a unique time of opportunity. The article highlights several with a range of ideas from the unconventional young man who is building fish tanks for jelly fish, a high ticket item that is beginning to take off, to two who are writing portable language translation pieces for world travelers, to several who are starting web based businesses.
From my vantage point, I see the economic events as a perfect storm that will engender growth and development in new areas, addressing the ecological and business issues we face today. Just as the food industry and beverage industry have taken off with wine shops and restaurants to satisfy the dining tastes of everyone, there is a coming boon of ideas and talent in fields that are important to survival as well as living a good life.
We are a planet made up of creative people. We are only limited by the factors that make us think we can’t do it, we aren’t good enough, smart enough, etc. The days of large corporations taking care of us are waning, and the first to make use of their education and talents will reap the benefits.
So take a reality check of where you are now, if in a job search, or just where you are in your life. What’s holding you back from actualizing what feels juicy and interesting, the idea that just won’t go away as you think of what you’d like to be doing and earning money at the same time.
Do you have the drive and fortitude? Do you have financial support to see you through? How could you merge with several others, forming your own company of 10, to birth your dream into reality?
Isn’t that the creative story of the internet?
We have the ability to change and merge and begin again, with fresh eyes, fresh ideas, to create and employ and feel satisfaction for a days work well done.
